Scutigera coleoptrata, also known as the house-centipede, is a species of centipede that is typically yellowish-gray and has up to 15 pairs of long legs. Originating in the Mediterranean region, it has spread to other parts of the world, where it frequently lives in and around human homes. [1] It is an insectivore, preying on insects and arachnids by envenomating them.
Their venom is not. The house centipede sits atop the food chain in the artificially-built environment. Their diet, hunted nocturnally, consists of all the pests that homeowners abhor, including cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, flies, moths, and all sort of other small insect.
The house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata, is a common arthropod often encountered indoors, known for its numerous long legs and rapid movement. Many people wonder about their origins and the specific reasons behind their presence within homes. Understanding their natural history and environmental preferences helps explain why these arthropods occasionally become unwelcome houseguests.
House centipedes are fascinating creatures with a long history. Understanding their origins can help us appreciate their unique characteristics and behavior. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the evolutionary history of house centipedes, from their earliest ancestors to their present.
House centipedes are of little concern to homeowners, despite their long legs and scary appearance. They feed on many different arthropods including pest insects. Potentially it can occur in any home in the state.
Figure 2. House centipede, side-view. Some legs are missing on the left side of the body.
Life History and Habits: Typical of all centipedes, the house centipede is a predator of insects and other small invertebrates, immobilizing them with a pair of specialized fang-like front legs (maxillipeds). HOUSE CENTIPEDE (Scutigera coleoptrata) Of the number of arthropods that can be found inside human structures, the house centipede is one of the most maligned despite its essentially beneficial nature. House centipedes are generalist predators of insects, spiders, and other arthropods, many of which are considered household pests.
The house centipede is found both outdoors and indoors. Indoors, it is an inhabitant of damp places, such as bathrooms, moist closets, and cellars, crawl spaces, and piles of fire wood. Drying and cleaning these areas should help to control infestations of these centipedes.
Read on to about where house centipedes come from, what they look like, and what they eat, as well as what you can do to prevent a house centipede infestation and how to get rid of them. A number of different centipede species in the family Scutigeridae are known as the house centipede, including: Scutigera coleoptrata, originally from the Mediterranean region, but now found almost worldwide.